ActionSA's court challenge against the police findings in the Phala Phala case could reshape accountability in South Africa, as the party argues the process raises critical questions about transparency and justice.

Sibulele Holweni is a shock omission from the final 26-member squad as the former African champions prepare to fly out to Casablanca for their title defence.

A prominent member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s centre-right party came under fire on Friday for having a child through a surrogate pregnancy in the United States, despite the practice being illegal in Germany. Jens Spahn, the chairman of the CDU’s faction in the German parliament, and his husband recently became parents to a son born to a surrogate mother in the United States, according to German media reports. Party members question Spahn’s conduct The CDU has however strictly opposed making surrogate pregnancies legal in Germany and some in the party have criticised Spahn’s actions. “Jens Spahn is no longer tenable as chairman of the parliamentary group and must resign,” Daniel Peters, the leader of the CDU in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, told the Bild newspaper on Friday. Peters, who also sits on the CDU’s national executive committee, said it was “completely unacceptable” for Spahn to vote one way as a CDU lawmaker and then “act quite differently as a private individual”. Criticism grows within the CDU The head of the CDU’s group for older members, Hubert Hueppe, told Der Spiegel magazine that he was “personally shocked” by Spahn’s decision in spite of the CDU’s “clear stance” on the issue. “Of course, I can understand that everyone desires a child, including homosexual couples,” Hueppe said, but added that the debate is over “whether women are being instrumentalised”. According to Bild, the couple’s surrogate was around four months pregnant when the CDU last voted to maintain the ban on surrogacy in February. Sources close to Spahn told Focus magazine that US regulations aimed at protecting women were a decisive factor in the couple’s decision to go there for a surrogate mother. Government weighs in on surrogacy debate The government’s own commissioner for queer issues, Sophie Koch from the centre-left SPD, also reacted to the row. “Many queer people want children and should be able to fulfil this wish,” she told the Rheinische Post, but added: “I don’t think commercial surrogacy is the right way.” Spahn, 46, previously served as Germany’s health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic under former chancellor Angela Merkel. Merz avoids questions over controversy Under Merz, he has become a prominent right-wing voice in the party, especially on immigration issues. Merz on Thursday dodged questions about Spahn’s use of a surrogate mother and his party’s stance on the issue. “Jens Spahn informed me last Friday that he and his husband are becoming parents. I congratulated him on this,” Merz told reporters at a press conference.

Tyla Laura Seethal, the Grammy-winning South African artist widely credited with popularising “popiano” has positioned her upcoming A*Pop album as a confident declaration of African music as global pop. According to the singer, the title reflects her vision: “I bring the A to pop. It’s African pop; African music is pop music.” The album, set for release via FAX and Epic Records, follows her 2024 self-titled debut and the 2025 bridge EP WWP (We Wanna Party). Pre-release singles such as Chanel, Is It Love, Is It, and She Did It Again (featuring Zara Larsson) have already showcased Tyla’s signature blend of infectious grooves, sultry vocals and polished production. Tracklist and featured artists Tyla unveiled the official tracklist creatively, spray-painting song titles in a blacklight room with She Did It Again as the soundtrack. The project runs approximately 44 minutes and includes a mix of solo tracks and collaborations. Key features highlighted in reports include international names spanning RnB, rap, pop and Afrobeats like Kehlani, Cardi B, Wizkid and Zara Larsson. Wizkid’s inclusion, in particular, has been praised for reinforcing connections across the African continent. South African representation appears through tracks featuring artists such as Liquideep, MaWhoo and Babalwa M. These additions nod to local amapiano and house scenes while maintaining the album’s global sheen, building on her fusion of amapiano rhythms with sleek pop and RnB structures (popiano). Global reach or local roots? Based on The Citizen‘s observation, the discussion centres on longstanding questions in African music: how artists from the continent navigate international success without diluting cultural specificity. Tyla’s debut already sparked conversations about her sound feeling “too Westernised” for some South African listeners, with critics noting its streamlined, radio-friendly take on amapiano compared to longer, producer-driven local tracks. Per reports, some observers question whether the prominent international features on A*POP signal a further pivot toward mainstream Western markets at the potential expense of deeper South African collaborations. Others argue this strategy elevates African sounds globally, with Tyla acting as a bridge – much like how Wizkid has done for Afrobeats. There are also those who believe her decision to record parts of the project in South Africa, including a camp in the Cradle of Humankind, underscores an intent to stay rooted. Music industry voices have long highlighted the challenges. Tyla herself addressed artistic growth in a Rolling Stone interview: “I’m now 24… I have other things to say and other vibes I want to give,” framing the album as a more mature, personal evolution. This mirrors broader industry patterns. Artists like Burna Boy and Black Coffee have balanced local crews with global stars, often facing similar scrutiny. Tyla’s approach – blending log drums and amapiano elements with concise pop structures – has undeniably introduced South African music to new audiences, as seen in her chart success and Grammy wins in the Best African Music Performance category. Cultural context Tyla has consistently affirmed her South African identity, including her coloured heritage in the South African context. Her music remains deeply tied to home influences, even as it courts global appeal. Features with South African talents like MaWhoo (known for amapiano vocals) and Babalwa M demonstrate ongoing local ties, countering narratives of disconnection. Critics of a perceived lack of heavier local features point to the vibrancy of the South African scene and artists like Uncle Waffles, Kelvin Momo and Focalistic continue to thrive domestically and internationally. Supporters counter that Tyla’s platform amplifies the entire ecosystem, creating opportunities for more South African voices on the world stage. Ultimately, A*POP appears designed as Tyla’s statement of unapologetic global ambition. As she told interviewers, the project allows her to “dive into things and try whatever”, moving beyond perfectionism to create a cohesive world that’s solely hers.

In response to rumours of a “new bae”, South African reality TV star Vuyokazi Nciweni cleared the air by insisting she does not even know the gentleman in question. VUYOKAZI NCIWENI DISMISSES ROMANCE RUMOURS In a video posted in the early hours of 17 July, Vuyokazi explained that people had taken the video of her cosying up with a man known as Thendo Zonzo out of context. The video went viral on social media, sparking a frenzy with many side-eyeing Vuyokazi’s “new man”. The mother of two said that she went out for a fun night out while in Pretoria and, in her tipsy state, ended up kissing Thendo Zonzo. However, she emphasised that she didn’t even know him and they are not in a relationship. Speaking about the situation, Vuyokazi said: “I just want to say this: I’m currently in Pretoria for work. I happened to go to the groove one night, [and] I got intoxicated. She added “I met this guy [and] we vibed. I don’t know who Zonzo is. I don’t even follow him, and I don’t know who he is.” VUYOKAZI IS PICKING UP THE PIECES The lovely Vuyokazi was introduced to the world as Mpumelelo Mseleku’s girlfriend on Uthando Nes’thembu. The former couple experienced many ups and downs before their relationship ended. They are now co-parenting their two adorable children, Mhlophekazi and Nzulu. After the breakup, Vuyokazi embarked on a complete body transformation, working with cosmetic surgeons in Turkey. In May 2026, she moved into her stunning apartment in Cape Town, and in June 2026, she celebrated her graduation from the University of South Africa (UNISA) bagging an impressive eleven distinctions.

Social media user Sophia Vorster offered fellow beneficiaries a practical tip to avoid future disputes over declared income. She advised: “Before you apply for Sassa, go to a police station to do an affidavit of all incomes received from your children and others, and also your expenses. Then hand it in with your application form, and it won’t be a problem as long as it is under the threshold required by Sassa.” Her suggestion is aimed squarely at applicants who receive regular financial support from family, offering a way to formally record that income upfront rather than risk it being flagged later. Concerns Over Monitoring and Disclosure Not all commenters were comfortable with the idea of full financial disclosure. Anthony Martin raised concerns about the broader implications of sharing financial information with authorities, arguing that current processes give “access to government to monitor your bank accounts, SARS dividends and also your dividends earned from shares,” and suggesting that “indigent support, rates rebates, Grant applications are open to scrutiny.” His comment reflects a tension in the thread between beneficiaries seeking certainty through disclosure and others wary of the scrutiny that comes with it. Questions Beyond the Application Process The discussion also touched on how grant money can be used once received. Tony Hall asked a separate but related question that captured a common uncertainty among older beneficiaries: “Can you use your Sassa old age grant to pay for your funeral policy?” While this specific question remains open, it points to a wider pattern in the comments, beneficiaries wanting clearer, more accessible guidance not just on qualifying for a grant, but on how it can be used and managed once it’s paid out. SASSA has not issued the affidavit approach as official guidance, and beneficiaries are encouraged to confirm requirements directly with their local office before applying, since processes may vary by case. Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.

ERP specialist Astraia Technology is iOCO's second purchase in four months as dealmaking accelerates.

An independently audited public vote has crowned Paratus Namibia as the most reliable internet provider - again.